Ramaphosa takes SADC helm, pledges to drive trade, industrialisation and regional integration

President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken the helm of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as chairperson, placing accelerated infrastructure development, regional value chains and critical minerals transformation at the very core of South Africa’s chairship agenda.

Ramaphosa accepted the chairship of the regional bloc during the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of SADC, held in Durban on Monday.

In his acceptance address, President Ramaphosa outlined a number of strategic priorities aimed at advancing regional integration and sustainable development across the SADC region.

We will seek greater integration of our economies, building ties of trade and investment that drive resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation.

He also expressed appreciation to the outgoing SADC Chairperson, His Excellency Dr. [Name omitted in source].

The SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Mr Elias M. Magosi, congratulated President Ramaphosa on assuming the SADC Chairpersonship and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s full support in advancing the regional integration agenda.

He expressed confidence that, under President Ramaphosa’s leadership, the Community would continue to make significant progress towards the goals of a peaceful, resilient, industrialised, prosperous and integrated Southern Africa, in line with SADC Vision 2050.